A first police strike for 90 years loomed yesterday as officers voted for the right to strike.

Rank-and-file bobbies warned they would walk out unless the Government upped its pay offer.

They are furious Home Secretary Jacqui Smith went against the advice of the Police Arbitration Tribunal by not backdating a 2.5 per cent pay rise Officers voted 86 per cent in favour of lobbying for the right to take industrial action.

They also backed a call for the tribunal's rulings to be made binding by 93 per cent.

Federation chairman Jan Berry warned: "I don't see this as a vote for strike action - yet." And she urged Ms Smith to rethink her decision.

Police have not gone on strike since 1919 and laws have since banned them from walking out.